Cory's Corner: The Packers Are Evolving Their Roster Plan
The Packers are doing away with patient continuity in favor of adapting to what the Packers desperately need — defined roles and leadership.
The Green Bay Packers have long sold themselves on a simple idea: keep your core together, develop patiently, and let continuity become your edge. It’s a philosophy that defined eras — from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers — and one that gave the franchise a sense of identity as steady as Lambeau Field itself. But this offseason tells a different story. The departures of players like Rashan Gary, Romeo Doubs, and Quay Walker signal more than routine roster turnover — they mark a shift in thinking. Green Bay is no longer clinging to continuity as its defining trait. Instead, it’s betting that the right chemistry, even if newly assembled, can succeed where familiarity fell short.
That shift didn’t come out of nowhere. Head coach Matt LaFleur all but acknowledged cracks beneath the surface when he said, “There were some guys that were unhappy with their roles.” It’s a revealing admission for a team that has historically kept such matters behind closed doors. Unhappy roles lead to uneven buy-in, and uneven buy-in leads to inconsistent results — the kind that defined stretches of the Packers’ recent seasons. Talent wasn’t the issue. Execution, at times, wasn’t even the issue. It was alignment. And alignment is harder to measure, but easier to feel when it’s off.
So now the Packers are recalibrating, and the new faces reflect that intention. Veterans like Javon Hargrave and Zaire Franklin bring not just production, but defined identities and leadership styles. On the coaching side, the arrival of defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon introduces a new voice and philosophy to a unit in transition. This isn’t just about upgrading positions — it’s about redefining expectations. Players who understand and embrace their roles are being prioritized over those still searching for theirs. Coaches are being brought in not just for scheme, but for presence. It’s a subtle pivot, but a meaningful one: from assembling the most talented roster possible to assembling the most cohesive one.
Of course, this approach comes with risk. Continuity provides a safety net; chemistry does not. You can rely on experience built over years together, but you can’t fast-track trust. It has to develop, often under pressure, and sometimes not at all. For a team with playoff aspirations, that’s a dangerous gamble. If the pieces don’t click quickly, the Packers could find themselves not just retooled, but unsettled — still searching for the identity they willingly disrupted.
But there’s also upside — perhaps more than Green Bay has had in years. A locker room pulling in the same direction can elevate a team beyond its individual parts. It can sharpen focus in critical moments, smooth over adversity, and create the kind of resilience that separates contenders from pretenders. If LaFleur’s recalibration works, the Packers won’t just look different — they’ll feel different. Faster. Looser. More connected.
In the end, this is less about abandoning tradition and more about adapting it. The Packers still believe in development, still believe in culture — but they’re redefining what culture means. Not just longevity, but harmony. Not just familiarity, but fit. In today’s NFL, where rosters turn over faster than ever, Green Bay is making a calculated bet: that the right chemistry can accomplish what continuity no longer guarantees.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (63)
Lphill
March 31, 2026 at 06:57 am
I like the veteran additions not flashy but solid moves, who cares about having the youngest roster, losing 5 games with the lead is unacceptable., the Patriots used to bring in fresh bodies every season and that worked out fine for them, now lets stop drafting projects and build some depth .
dblbogey
March 31, 2026 at 01:50 pm
Micah was a veteran leader. I think besides his stellar play, his competitiveness and leadership were really missed. Maybe the new vets will have some of that leadership.
dobber
March 31, 2026 at 07:24 am
"Of course, this approach comes with risk....still searching for the identity they willingly disrupted."
Thank you for your input, Cory-bot, but even AI generates word soup.
I think it's plainly apparent, and the same kinds of things are happening now that happened in 2018-19: the rebuilding phase is ending. There's plenty of youth, drafted heavily in 12's last season in the next two drafts. The Packers were the youngest team in the league as they tried to identify a platform. Thankfully they didn't need to languish in the 4-6 win territory. The Packers found the QB they think they can win with and now are leaning into that youth as they buy what they hope are going to be elevating and finishing pieces. We'll find out quickly whether they were right.
If I had to bet, in two years, they'll sell Parsons for a haul of picks and maybe sell on Love to clear the books, build draft capital, and try to open the next window. Just keep in mind that I'm never right.
Cheezehead72
March 31, 2026 at 07:54 am
They will not sell Love unless they have a QB on the roster that can play better than him or one they think can play better than Love. The chances of drafting a QB the next two years is difficult with no first round picks the next two years and what makes it worse is they have only 7 picks this year and I count about 8 or 9 holes they need to fill. Many people on this board would say 7 and then there are those that think less than 7.
Now the idea of trading Parsons is an interesting idea to think about. In two years he will still be young enough to play the position but he has been injured. It would be interesting what we could get for him. His cap number for 2028 is huge and in 2029 morbidly obese so it is a possiblity depending on the dead cap hit we would take. If anything his contract will be reworked.
golfpacker61
March 31, 2026 at 01:09 pm
"They will not sell Love unless they have a QB on the roster that can play better than him or one they think can play better than Love."
We might never know Cheeze because our backups might not play much the next 3 years, but Kyle McCord has more throwing talent than Love does, and with some solid NFL coaching could be an upgrade at QB. I am not sleeping on Ridder either. Yes he has started 20 NFL games and had mixed results, but how many wins would he have had playing for GB or another better team. He will be fine as a backup and is more athletic than given credit for.
Ihappydirt
March 31, 2026 at 05:31 pm
I can't think how there are 8-9 holes to fill, and the few that stick out to me will be more filled by elevation of 2nd/3rd-year players. GB likely isn't done in FA either. They're just waiting for the draft to end so they don't offset the 4 compensatory picks coming next year. All the players that moved on, GB didn't want at the price, even Sheed at his surprisingly cheap price.
My guess is the NT they need still comes in FA, although they may double down in the draft. Stackhouse may improve enough to help. Blocking TE is a big need. The CB or 2 they need? One from the draft and St. Juste likely is already an improvement. Gannon is known for resurrecting CBs, and St. Juste actually grades quite well in zone, which Gannon prefers.
GB definitely needs OL depth or future Banks replacement if he's bad again. GB may not be as hurting at edge as many think, between Parsons, LVN, Sorrell, Cox and Oliver. They'll still draft at least one, and a WR or two. My guess is Watson signs big, and Reed may get a decent contract, too. Golden is a future star and Savion could be good so the immediate need isn't huge.
If Parsons is working out, and I'd be shocked if he isn't, they will rework his cap effect.
Coldworld
March 31, 2026 at 09:20 am
Interesting prognosis Dobber. If that sell off is the case, I would suggest that the clear out will be much more through and the intervening years perhaps more depressing. If we have any success, Love will likely be here for another decade and Parsons for half that. If we need to shed as you predict, it’s likely Gute’s gone, LaFleur too and Policy, having pinned himself to them so surprisingly, under severe pressure.
GregC
March 31, 2026 at 11:24 am
Hard to see them selling on Love in the next couple years unless his performance declines. The Packers stuck with Favre and Rodgers until they were in their late 30s.
dblbogey
March 31, 2026 at 01:54 pm
Give Love a top 10 pass blocking OL and I think he's a top 5 QB.
Oppy
March 31, 2026 at 08:23 pm
He's already very quietly a top 5 QB in most of the core QB metrics.. and his OL has been a mess for two seasons, despite what some would have you believe.
golfpacker61
March 31, 2026 at 12:48 pm
"If I had to bet, in two years, they'll sell Parsons for a haul of picks and maybe sell on Love to clear the books, build draft capital, and try to open the next window. Just keep in mind that I'm never right."
Dobber, I have to admit I have had the same thoughts about when the next rebuild/reload phase will start in GB. Especially if we don't at least get much farther in the playoffs. Parsons is only 26 but he plays at 200 mph all the time, so he will have less tread on his tires, but just think what he would be worth in 2028. If he is still healthy, GB could easily get a haul that would surpass the missed trade debacle of Aaron Rodgers.
Love could also get serious draft capitol in a trade.
Ihappydirt
March 31, 2026 at 04:58 pm
"If I had to bet, in two years, they'll sell Parsons for a haul of picks and maybe sell on Love to clear the books, build draft capital, and try to open the next window."
I'd be shocked if they move on from either that quickly. I ascribe more to Cold World's timeline. Love is a very solid QB that's still improving, and getting Parsons was highway robbery.
Bitternotsour
March 31, 2026 at 06:24 pm
yeah, hold onto your money...
stockholder
March 31, 2026 at 08:01 am
Too many chiefs and not enough Indians?
If the disconnect, locker room tension,
and negative impact on team culture,
was a problem for Mlf.
You only have to look at Gute.
He signed Banks and forced Jenkins to center.
And Dobbs was in trouble when they drafted Golden.
I'm sure we could probably go back to Rodgers
when he drafted Love now.
So now comes a new spin on veterans.
Sorry- but teaching old dogs new tricks never works.
And while most will never live up to their contracts.
The young will lose their edge waiting for their chance.
I'm glad I didn't hear the packers were cry babies.
It explains the effort on the field.
And until most Mlf haters realize," Nothing comes easy. "
Gute will continue to use his middle finger; to solve
the problems he created.
murf7777
March 31, 2026 at 08:33 am
“So now comes a new spin on veterans.
Sorry- but teaching old dogs new tricks never works“
Why would you have to teach them new tricks? Bring in strong Vets who are a strength to your weaknesses and let them work their magic! I like the moves they’re making this year.
packer132
March 31, 2026 at 08:47 am
SH has no clue and just wants to bash Gute. I like the moves as well so far, and there will be more as we get into training camp.
stockholder
March 31, 2026 at 09:11 am
While the scenery change can help with motivation.
Veterans have physical limitations.
The Strategies Change.
Then job stress takes away the upside.
stockholder
March 31, 2026 at 09:23 am
4 DCs in 8 years.
Mike Pettine
Joe Barry
Jeff Hafley
John Gannon
jannesbjornson
March 31, 2026 at 03:01 pm
Yet, they retain LaFleur.
murf7777
March 31, 2026 at 09:50 am
Yep, tell that to Belichick who used them repeatedly to keep a top 5 defense year in and year out. If you can identify the right people, it works at a very high level.
PackerBackerAZ
March 31, 2026 at 03:16 pm
I'm of the belief that the coaches, under Belichick, had every bit as much to do with the Patriots getting far more from the players they brought in as the players. When talented players aren't put in position to be successful, it has to fall on coaching. If the players prove they're not NFL players, that's on the player procurement officer. Not knowing and playing to the strengths of every player invites 3 years of being the seventh seed in the playoffs. Not having enough players to put in position to be successful is on the player procurement officer and not the coaches. The Packers have extended the very regime that has brought the team to 3 straight seventh seeds in the playoffs. The very regime that failed to build and/or coach a Super Bowl contender after seven years. Unfortunately, rewarding failure has become too common in the U.S.
However, hope springs eternal this time of year. The Pack is back and Super Bowl bound in 2026. Until such time that it's proven they aren't.
golfpacker61
March 31, 2026 at 01:16 pm
Stocks views are so off the beaten path on everything. I could name 20 vets who would have fit in and thrived in GB the last 5 years. With age also comes experience, work smarter not harder. How would Calais Campbell and Bobby Wagner have worked out in GB the last 3 years, would we have been better or worse?
stockholder
March 31, 2026 at 01:43 pm
Answer- Cap Hell.
I'm not a plastic fan.
The conscious opinion -
If Gute was as great as people here think.
We'd have more Lombardi trophies.
jannesbjornson
March 31, 2026 at 04:39 pm
He is below average given the draft capital he controlled 2023-25.
# 46 Lee Hunter DT/NT T-Tech
#94 Elijah Sarratt WR Indiana
#120 Jude Bowry OT Boston College
#152 Sam Roush TE Stanford
#160 CarverWillis OT Wash
#210 Andre Fuller CB Toledo
# 236 Chip Trayanum RB Toledo
#243 Joe Fagnano QB UConn
Stop the run, possession WR, protect the QB...
stockholder
March 31, 2026 at 06:42 pm
So- I sold you on getting a Wr
and then trading Wicks or Reed.
Lee Hunter-
I see you really like him.
But the scouts say when he plays NT.
He has trouble getting off blocks.
I'm still a no. Maybe Jackson later.
Check out what Huddle report posted.
I doubt a True NT will be in for 3 downs.
The rest of your picks show good value.
jannesbjornson
April 01, 2026 at 03:41 pm
All three Indiana receivers got the job done. Omar Cooper goes by #15 and the Pack has the slot guys inReed and Golden. The scouts are full of shit, watch the Film. He is a Kenny Clark type inside guy. He's a hog ,no need to over-think the deal. They already have four three-tech types. Brinson falls somewhere in between, but if he doesn't hit the barbells he not going to contribute.
stockholder
April 01, 2026 at 03:58 pm
I still think Gute will pass on DT and take a edge player
jannesbjornson
April 02, 2026 at 10:21 am
He has Parsons, Sorrell, Cox, Oliver, van Ness and Cooper should be bringing inside blitzes. The OBVIOUS weakness is the middle of this defense. Why discuss what he will do, as he seldom sees the blue chip player.
He is a product of nepotism.
stockholder
April 03, 2026 at 06:50 am
Karl Brooks LDE NT Devonte Wyatt RDE Javon Hargrave
THIS -Is your front Line. Notice Wyatt is the NT.
And Gute must extend him now.
Cox Sorrel Oliver. WLB.
Parsons Van Ness ,Mosby SLB
The misfit and bust now, is Van Ness.
Gute shouldn't pick up his contract. ext.
He's just to slow. Pre Mock Monday-
Gute must draft 1 Edge and NB
Picking at 52 might be to late for edge.
The choice at NB is Stukes/Kilgore,Wheatley
52. R mason Thomas Edge. OKL
84. Bryce Lance. Wr ND Draft Gem
120. Jalon Kilgore DB SC
160. Cole Payton QB ND
201. Jam Miller. RB. Alabama
236. Deven Eastern. DT Minn
255. Marcus Allen. CB UNC
Guam
March 31, 2026 at 08:18 am
One small fly in the ointment (or in Cory's logic) - Gute has repeatedly stated the Packers tried to sign Quay Walker to a new deal but couldn't reach satisfactory financial terms. If the Packers were shedding supposed malcontents (Gary, Doubs and Q. Walker) in favor of better chemistry, why were they trying to resign one of the malcontents (Walker)? And is Doubs a malcontent? He had one issue in 2024 but had zero issues (at least zero visible to the public) in 2025. Hardly an obvious malcontent.
I think Cory is comingling LaFleur's communication issues with his players and Packer FO business as usual work in free agency into one issue and they are really two separate issues. The Packer FO resigned current players who they could afford and backfilled the holes with free agents they could afford - business as usual.
LaFleur has a separate problem between his coaching staff and the players as evidenced by the grades he and Stenovich and the training staff received and LaFleur's recent admission of communication problems.
The FO is working on fixing the holes created by free agency. LaFleur needs to get busy and work on his communication issues. And let's not commingle the two into one larger issue.
LambeauPlain
March 31, 2026 at 09:58 am
Personnel management a weakness for LaFleur...especially in evaluating his direct reports, setting clear direction, following up (employees respect what you inspect), and holding staff accountable. Status quo is his happy place and Ed Policy has rewarded him with an even more of it.
Why is new QB Coach Luke Getsy also the new associate HC for offense and not Stenovich? Why is Stenovich not having much of a role on the passing operation? LaFleur, Getsy, Conner Lewis and Jason Vrable will focus on the pass game.
Guam
March 31, 2026 at 10:54 am
You brought back memories LP with that hoary old aphorism: "You get what you inspect, not what you expect". I used to teach my young managers that phrase all the time. If you aren't following up on something, it isn't happening.
With LaFleur in his eighth year as a HC, you would hope that he had gotten better at personnel management, but he and his staff's grades for 2025 might indicate otherwise. I will be very interested what those grades look like next year.
golfpacker61
March 31, 2026 at 12:57 pm
"The Packer FO resigned current players who they could afford and backfilled the holes with free agents they could afford - business as usual."
That sums up this offseason perfectly Guam. The two 2025 FA signings put a damper on being able to afford FAs this year. But this approach is working so far, and we are gaining leadership, proven performance, and veteran experience that will prove invaluable. The Eagles are using the same method, instead of spending $38 million on Max Crosby, they signed 7 FAs for $35 million to upgrade multiple position groups. Except for the $$$, it's exactly what we should be doing.
A couple more under the radar signings at NT, Edge, & CB could make the Packers a very dangerous team as long as injuries don't hit so hard this year.
Guam
April 01, 2026 at 08:45 am
I hope the Packers can find enough cap room to sign a decent veteran NT as I really don't care to see the Packers start the season with Stackhouse, Ford and maybe a draft choice at that position. Just too important a position in a 3-4 to not seek better talent.
murf7777
March 31, 2026 at 08:28 am
I am completely done with building the youngest team in the league. All it gets us are immature mistakes and constant, inexperienced communication errors on the field. While we need a good blend of explosive youth to build for the future, we absolutely must anchor them with a few strong, proven veterans. There is very little risk in bringing in established leaders like that. With a veteran, you have years of film and a clear track record to research, so you know exactly what kind of character you are bringing into your locker room. It’s time to follow the Belichick way: bring in experienced, aging vets who know how to play a specific role at an extremely high level. Gutey and LaFluer are finally getting on the bandwagon.
LeotisHarris
March 31, 2026 at 08:30 am
"Talent wasn’t the issue. Execution, at times, wasn’t even the issue. It was alignment. And alignment is harder to measure, but easier to feel when it’s off."
I'll miss the non sequiturs, Cory, but going 100% AI-generated is lazy at best. If a fan blog can't deliver human communication between authors and fans, what's the point?
Swisch
March 31, 2026 at 09:01 am
Sincere question: How does one detect when it's AI?
dobber
March 31, 2026 at 09:10 am
Have you not read the entangled metaphors, crappy usage, and random rambling direction that was Cory's stuff (until about two weeks ago)?
dblbogey
March 31, 2026 at 01:58 pm
Not to be mean, but I usually skip Cory's Corner.
dobber
March 31, 2026 at 02:05 pm
I usually go to the comments for the discussion on these, too.
I end up going back to the text if there's a comment I need to contextualize.
dblbogey
March 31, 2026 at 01:57 pm
From google, for what that's worth - " Detecting AI-generated writing requires using AI detection tools and manual analysis. No single method is completely accurate. AI-generated text may have "flat" language, repetitive sentence structures, and overuse of certain buzzwords."
Swisch
March 31, 2026 at 03:35 pm
Thanks, dblbogey, it seems you've made a good start of it.
Perhaps what you've found is AI giving us a description of AI ;-).
The bottom line might be that it's tricky to discern who has the write stuff -- although comparing former articles to current articles might show that an author has made the switch from human artistry to artificial assistance, more or less.
***
In general, I'm wary of AI, and actually find it to be scary.
As I study the Industrial Revolution with its advances in machinery, it seems to me that America got a lot worse. Perhaps the GNP and other statistics of quantity went up exponentially, but the quality of life seems to have gone down precipitously.
A big part of the problem is that the Industrial Revolution went along with the Gilded Age, which suggests that almost all of the profits went to a tiny few robber barons (and their cronies), while almost none of it went to the vast majority of ordinary laborers.
It's hard to imagine working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, in dirty, deafening, and even deadly conditions. It seems more like a prison sentence for a violent crime. It seems comparable to the old plantation slavery, though without a guarantee of food and board.
Fast forward to the current Technological Revolution and a Gilded Age 2.0. It seems pretty much the same, except we've hidden much of the obvious misery by outsourcing it overseas or concealing it domestically in an underground economy of exploited migrants. Less obvious but still apparent is that the remaining jobs left to average American citizens are temporary gigs that pay little with few benefits and no security -- requiring two or three of them just to get by, and don't even think of owning a house until maybe age 40.
So as dazzling as the scientific achievements might be in any era, they may not result in the ultimate measure of progress, which is human happiness.
Our machinery and technology can do as much harm as good. It can aid in elevating our lives, or lead to our destruction.
***
I just saw that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell might be making more than $60 million per year.
For some reason, his salary isn't public, as I understand it.
It's also apparently tied to incentives that seem to correlate to the NFL making more money. Does that always coincide with the benefit of the players, in matters such as games overseas or the number of games in the regular season?
How can Goodell justify that outrageous of a salary in the context of the social issues claimed by Black Lives Matter, with their slogans displayed all over the NFL with his endorsement?
Goodell could keep an ample $5 million per year for himself, and still have left over tens of millions of dollars to donate to people of color and other oppressed groups. How well does he share? Where is the equity?
Meanwhile, if a black NFL player says something along the lines of respectfully disagreeing with the gay lifestyle, or refuses to take the next experimental vaccine, or prays on the sideline -- would such a player have the freedom to do so?
Or, similar to the dependency of most Americans, is the football field just a glorified plantation owned by corporate billionaires, and thus shackling him as to what he can say or do lest he displease his oligarchic masters?
Meanwhile, will AI be rigged to say merely what is government propaganda and corporate public relations? Will our servility be lessened as long as we're wearing official NFL jerseys sold at $100?
Bitternotsour
March 31, 2026 at 06:31 pm
You apparently somehow skipped over the growth of the middle class, the defeat of Hitler and fascism, unions, the 5-day work week, the end of child labor, and increases in well-being, prosperity and health. Gone are the days of the flu killing millions, polio crippling a generation.
Also you dipshit, gay isn't a lifestyle. Vaccines save lives.
Swisch
March 31, 2026 at 07:06 pm
I'm all for the middle class. I was blessed to grow up in it.
Sad to say, the middle class has been largely eliminated nowadays, seemingly on purpose. The American people have been sold out by the elitists. Now that AI is becoming more common, how many more Americans will be displaced from the labor force and forced into destitution?
America has become the land of addiction, divorce, and diabetes 2. These social diseases of despair have no vaccine.
***
The reforms on behalf of labor came during the darkness of the Great Depression when things were so desperate for the workers that something had to be done to alleviate their plight.
The unions had to overcome thugs with clubs to get recognition at GM and Ford and so many other places. Sadly, then most the unions were compromised, or went corrupt.
Even in the NFL, I wonder if the union really addresses the issues that really matter to these players.
We're going in the way of economic depression again. If we don't reform the abuses of capitalism, we're going to get the horrors of communism.
Bread and circuses may be updated to SNAP and NFL streaming services. However, we're still considered a rabble to be appeased rather than treated with fairness and dignity.
***
The issue about vaccines proves my point made above. Vaccines can be wonderful if they're made well; they can be deadly (e.g., myocarditis) when not made well.
I'm genuinely wondering if the COVID shots did more harm than good, especially for young people in good shape such as NFL players.
***
As a general response, I'm all for the American people. They have somehow kept their humanity and hospitality despite being severely mistreated by Big Business and Big Government.
It's the current elitists who consider the majority of Americans to be deplorable rubes and bigots.
The NFL is basically part of the problem. It tells its traditional fans over and over again that we're white supremacists and violent insurrectionists.
My theory is that mega-millionaires like Roger Goodell are trying to divide us as Americans so as to distract us from their obscene wealth.
It's up to us to accept or reject the propaganda.
What's the use of being nasty to me, while letting the powerbrokers who are truly our oppressors go without criticism?
Please think for just a minute. How is Roger Goodell worth anywhere near $60 million per year?
Bitternotsour
March 31, 2026 at 10:57 am
when are you going to accept that the machine has feelings too? human communication is so last century. also, who is to say that the article you are reading is the same one I'm seeing?
Bitternotsour
March 31, 2026 at 10:57 am
sorry, this tincture is hitting hard...
Cheezehead72
March 31, 2026 at 08:48 am
I just get the feeling that this team lacks a cohesive 5 year plan. To me it seems like they are just making knee jerk reactions. No do not get me wrong sometimes you need to react to a situation but it should be very few instances.
Sometimes I wonder if there are communication issues between Gute and MLF. It just seems like Gute is getting players that fill a hole without considering what MLF needs to run his plan.
I might be off base with this and maybe there is a plan that will work at least I hope there is. Comments on this concern are greatly appreciated.
dobber
March 31, 2026 at 09:15 am
"It just seems like Gute is getting players that fill a hole without considering what MLF needs to run his plan."
I disagree, and would say that some of the bigger head-scratchers were picks made when Gute was trying to satisfy LaF (hello, Joshiah Deguara).
I think any plan that they had at this time last year needed a massive recalibration after Parsons appeared. It's like when you decide to go your own way when you're using navigation while driving and your GPS doesn't know what to do with it--recalibrating....
My question is whether they were really ready for such a massive shift.
stockholder
March 31, 2026 at 09:31 am
Gute's 5 year plan-
Dondre Campbell ????
What happened?
He just walked off the field in SF.
jannesbjornson
March 31, 2026 at 03:07 pm
Well, Quay didn't get the Fifth.
murf7777
March 31, 2026 at 09:53 am
Damn, if there is any truth to that matter, you would think TT or our new Pres would've figured that out!
LambeauPlain
March 31, 2026 at 10:12 am
My view is the Packers, especially the Coaching operation, but also the FO, has had a very comprehensive 5 plan:
Whatever the plan was prior year has primarily been the plan for the next year. Status quo has been the plan and Policy has enshrined it even more.
However 5 year plans are rarely implemented because variables (competition, personnel, market dynamics, etc) affecting the organization do not follow the plan.
One of the best managers I worked with said a 5 year plan is mostly worthless. Year one should be a gold standard of expectations. Year 2 a useful guide. Year 3 on are mostly wish lists that rarely resemble the earlier "5 year plan" when that year arrives. In retrospect, I realized he was correct.
Cheezehead72
March 31, 2026 at 10:22 am
When I said a five year plan I was just thinking of the future and used a commonly used term. I realize that the future is always changing but a GM should be looking 4 to 5 years down the road being as most players at least drafted players are signed to 4 year contracts.
Not sure how good your manager was you did say he was one of the best but if he is a good manager than he did need to look into the future and plan accordingly. Yes those plans need to be adjusted and sometimes thrown away.
golfpacker61
March 31, 2026 at 01:29 pm
Plans change Cheeze, and I will give the Packers credit for at least trying to adapt every year. Otherwise it's like teams that don't change things up at halftime when the game plan has been $hit so far.
To me a huge factor in where GB is now as a team, is that there have been some really pivotal moments in the NFL drafts the last 5-6 years where we zigged when we should have zagged as far as the players we chose. 5-10 of the right players that we should have selected in those drafts would change our outlook entirely. Conversely the fact that we drafted the wrong guys set us up to fail, be weak at those positions, and we have to keep spending more picks every year to try to fill the same hole. Just think of the impact Creed Humphrey would have made on our O-line and running game the last 6 years. That's just 1 of many examples.
dobber
March 31, 2026 at 02:08 pm
Five years is an eternity in the NFL...injuries shift needs, contracts only span 4 years. I'd think 3 years is about all you could really meaningfully plan over.
Coldworld
March 31, 2026 at 09:15 am
This seems to me nothing more than reaction to a combination of early picks not justifying second contracts, players aging out and a general lack of internal growth. We are moving on and trying to replace players with as close to the same potential who happen to be older, to keep the status quo and try to buy time for bigger, future draft classes and cap flexibility. Nothing more, nothing less.
It’s possible that we get stronger leadership as a byproduct of adding guys like Franklin and Hargreaves, but I think that a bonus not the driver here. We all knew something had to give with the likes of Jenkins and Gary and most suspected that Walker had not justified a big second commitment.
That can’t all be achieved through the draft in the short term without down years and what we have seen is acceptance of that. Now look to us to start trying to restock behind the new, shorter term, older players.
As ever, the key to success will be being able to develop players better, regardless of individual picks. We have not been good at that at all. Players have mostly come in and shone early in a few cases or plateaued in the case of the great majority.
LambeauPlain
March 31, 2026 at 10:30 am
"Green Bay is no longer clinging to continuity as its defining trait."
Good grief. That's a goodie! If the Packers have been anything during the LaFleur, Gutey, Ball, Murphy and now Policy era...it has been clinging to status quo management. By definition, that IS continuity.
All have been given job security and pay raises to "keep doing today what they did yesterday". The President/CEO/Chrm. of the Football Committee has enshrined "continuity".
When the expensive "band" had to be broken up in 2022, to replaced with younger, less expensive talent and targeting a few free agents, how is today different than then? All this is just managing to the cap monster that will devour you if you let it grow too fast.
Same team management by football committee. The draft remains the primary talent pool...all we hear about is the excitement of getting all those compensatory picks next year. Targeting a few free agents to fill depth holes.
golfpacker61
March 31, 2026 at 01:45 pm
" All this is just managing to the cap monster that will devour you if you let it grow too fast."
So true, the NFL salary cap works for the most part. Smart teams have smart guys who manage to fudge it sometimes but usually teams lose decent players because they just can't afford them. Good teams like the Eagles, Rams, & Chiefs always find some way around the cap to sign great players. I still haven't figured out how the Rams signed those 2 CBs this year though and still have cap space.
Losing Gary, the Walkers, Doubs, & Jenkins is not the end of the world. Every one of those players had warts and can be replaced and upgraded for less. Actually, losing Wilson the RB, even though it was one of the smallest transactions, could hurt us the most. If Jacobs goes down, it would be catastrophic just like losing Kraft last year. With no clear RB2 on the roster, especially Lloyd, we could be hurting @ RB, Love especially with no run game to lean on.
Teams lose guys every year, but this year it seems harder to fix with less cash available and no first round pick. Although we haven't exactly torn up the draft with our first rounders anyway. The thing is with 3-4 strategic FA signings between now and training camp, the Packers could have their strongest team in years, and their best chance to make an actual run in the playoffs.
Oxymoron 3339
March 31, 2026 at 11:00 am
It appears as though there are 4 types of Packers fans.
1). Every thing is great. We had a great off-season and this is the year we will win the Super Nowl.
2). We have had the talent all along but coaching has lacked.
3). We don’t have the enough talent to win despite good coaching.
4). We suck blow it all up.
I’m type 3 - this supposed change in direction all revolves around not being good at drafting and developing talent.
Coldworld
March 31, 2026 at 12:07 pm
There remains the possibility that we have had the talent and blown it when we did through poor player usage, positional coaching, hiring mistakes and tactical blunders at times and at others have been too optimistic about the level of talent to start with. In other words, both coaching and roster building.
I suspect increasingly both, but the greater certainty being the coaching failures documented over the years, but increasingly compounded by roster missteps.
golfpacker61
March 31, 2026 at 02:10 pm
I posted earlier Oxy that we have made some bad choices in the last 5-6 drafts, some that were really obviously wrong or real reaches. and those bad choices are impacting our roster right now. Having a Creed Humphrey, a Cooper DeJean, a Smith-Njigba, or a George Karlaftis on our team now eliminates 4 of our needs right now.
For the most part our FA acquisitions the last 5 years have been mostly successful upgrades, obviously last years Banks and Hobbs signings were just terrible, but this years small FA signings and the trade were all solid upgrades. Interior DL, Special Teams, the CB & LB rooms are all better than they were. We are not there yet, but on the right track. If we could somehow sign Calais Campbell and either Clowney or Epenesa to reasonable contracts, 2 more big holes are filled.
In the draft GB can get 2 players that could easily start on the 2026 team if we draft an Edge and a CB with our first 2 picks. I know we need a NT and more O-linemen, but a solid rookie CB & Edge would start because we are weakest at those 2 position groups. Give me Dani Dennis Sutton or Gabe Jacas at Edge, and Davison Igbinosun or Julian Neal at CB, and that would be one hell of a start to our draft.
marpag1
March 31, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Pointless drivel.
dobber
March 31, 2026 at 02:10 pm
It's a good thing Cory-bot doesn't have feelings...otherwise that might sting.